FITCHBURG, Mass. -- NEC Softball Splits Non-Conference Series Against Fitchburg State

Game One -- NEC 13, FSC 4 (6 innings) 

NEC struck first in the top of the opening inning, taking a 1-0 lead after senior Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) scored on a sacrifice fly to center field from senior Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.). Fitchburg State answered immediately in the bottom half, as Kiley Connors tied the game with a solo home run. The Falcons then took a 2-1 lead in the second inning with a two-out RBI double.

The Pilgrims broke the game open in the third inning with a dominant offensive surge. Lopez led off with a single, followed by another single from freshman Makayla Halley (Ventura, Calif.). Senior Surena Montero (Bakersfield, Calif.) loaded the bases with a hit, setting the stage for junior Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.), who drove in two runs with a single.

Senior Wren Anhalt (Brooksville, Fla.) then recorded her first collegiate double, bringing in two more runs. Junior Arianna Bayze (Temecula, Calif.) followed with an RBI, while senior Ashleigh Lemay (Derry, N.H.) scored on a fielding error to extend the lead to 7-2.

The offense continued to roll as junior Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) singled, and Giesler delivered a two-run triple. Lopez later walked, and Halley added another RBI single to push the score to 10-2.

Fitchburg State added a run in the fourth, but NEC maintained control. After a scoreless fifth inning, the Pilgrims added three more runs in the sixth. Gagne singled to set up Giesler, who notched her second triple of the game. Lopez and Halley followed with back-to-back doubles, driving in the final runs and extending the lead to 13-3.

The Falcons plated one run in the bottom of the sixth but left the bases loaded as NEC secured the run-rule victory.

Anhalt earned the win in the circle, allowing eight hits and one walk while striking out three.

Game Two -- FSC 16, NEC 8 (5 innings) 

Fitchburg State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead through two innings, but NEC responded in the third to even the score. Lemay led off with a single, and sophomore Mackenzie Yirrell (Methuen, Mass.) drew a walk. Gagne drove in the first run with a single, followed by an RBI single from Giesler. Lopez doubled on the first pitch to continue the rally, while Halley and Grimes each added RBI singles to tie the game at 4-4.

The Falcons answered with a decisive third inning, scoring nine runs on nine hits to take a 13-4 lead.

NEC continued to fight, adding four runs in the fifth inning on five hits, highlighted by a double from Lemay to cut the deficit to 13-8. However, Fitchburg State responded once more in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on four hits to secure the 16-8 win. 

NEC will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Paxton, Mass. for a doubleheader against Anna Maria.

For continued coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.